Lake Cumberland Water Level
Kentucky · Cumberland River
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Water level history
About Lake Cumberland
Lake Cumberland is a reservoir on the Cumberland River in Kentucky, operated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It's one of the largest reservoirs east of the Mississippi and a houseboating hub. Its full summer pool sits at 723 ft above sea level. Live water levels come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CWMS) and update hourly.
Understanding Lake Cumberland's water level
Lake Cumberland is one of the largest reservoirs east of the Mississippi, held behind Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River, and it is a houseboating capital with more than a thousand houseboats on its 1,255 miles of shoreline. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, runs it for flood control and hydropower, which means its level moves through a wide operating band: summer pool is 723 feet above sea level, and the Corps can draw it down toward a minimum power pool of 673 feet, a 50-foot range, while keeping room up to 760 feet for flood storage.
The lake's defining modern story, though, was not weather but the dam itself. Wolf Creek Dam sits on leaky limestone, and by 2007 seepage had gotten bad enough that the Corps rated the dam high-risk and deliberately lowered Lake Cumberland roughly 40 feet below its normal summer pool to reduce pressure while it built a massive new concrete barrier wall. That drawdown held from 2007 until the roughly 594-million-dollar repair was finished, and the lake was allowed back to normal levels by the spring of 2014. Marinas and water systems around the lake had to scramble to reach the lower water during those years.
With the dam secured, Lake Cumberland now swings on the usual flood-control and hydropower schedule. Its record high was 756.52 feet on February 26, 2019, and its record low was 675.10 feet on January 27, 1981. The cold, deep water makes it a standout fishery, having produced Kentucky state-record brown, lake and rainbow trout, striped bass, walleye and sturgeon, and the tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam is a famous trout stream. State resort parks and marinas around the lake make the current level a real planning number for anyone launching a houseboat.
Lake Cumberland — frequently asked
Why does Lake Cumberland's water level change so much?
The Corps operates Wolf Creek Dam for hydropower and flood control, so Cumberland moves through a wide band: it can be drawn from its 723-foot summer pool down toward a minimum power pool of 673 feet, and it has flood storage up to 760 feet. Power generation and storm management, not a small seasonal dip, drive those swings.
Why was Lake Cumberland held so low for years?
From 2007 to about 2013 the Corps deliberately lowered the lake roughly 40 feet below normal summer pool because Wolf Creek Dam, which sits on leaky limestone, had been rated high-risk for seepage. Keeping the lake low reduced pressure on the dam while a roughly 594-million-dollar barrier wall was built. The lake returned to normal levels by spring 2014.
What is full pool for Lake Cumberland, and what are the records?
Summer pool is 723 feet above sea level, with flood storage up to 760 feet and a minimum power pool of 673 feet. The record high was 756.52 feet on February 26, 2019, and the record low was 675.10 feet on January 27, 1981.
Does Lake Cumberland get drawn down in winter?
Yes. As a hydropower and flood-control lake it is normally lower in winter, when the Corps keeps space open for storms and draws on stored water for power, then refilled toward the 723-foot summer pool for the recreation season.
What is the fishing like at Lake Cumberland?
The deep, cold water makes it one of the region's top fisheries. It has produced Kentucky state-record brown, lake and rainbow trout, striped bass, walleye and sturgeon, and the tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam is a renowned trout stream.
What is Lake Cumberland used for?
It provides flood control and hydropower and is a premier recreation lake, best known as a houseboating destination with more than a thousand houseboats, along with state resort parks, marinas and trophy fishing.
Other lakes near Lake Cumberland
- Lake BarkleyKY/TN
- Barren River LakeKY
- Cave Run LakeKY
- Dale Hollow LakeKY/TN
- Green River LakeKY
- Kentucky LakeKY/TN
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